Design. Poetry. Soccer. Cake. Beer.

Elevators: Not User Friendly

I had an eye appointment today, and I couldn’t remember exactly what floor my doctor was on, but I was pretty sure it was the 6th floor. So I got to the building, and got in the elevator and hit 6.

Immediately after I did this, I saw information about what you could find on each floor. It seemed I was wrong. My doctor was on the 7th floor.

Okay, user error. How do I cancel? Wait, there is no cancel.

This wasn’t the first time I hit the incorrect floor on an elevator, and then felt either embarrassed or delayed. And I imagine I’m not the only one.

However, there is no way to cancel a choice once you press the button. What I saw was bad usability.

Imagine a world in which you could change you elevator choice. Where you didn’t have to watch the doors open to a floor you didn’t want to visit. Where people waiting to travel in the opposite direction didn’t peer in at you as you stood there like an idiot. Where those people who were waiting didn’t have to wait any longer because you accidentally hit the wrong button.

Wow. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

I realize being able to clear a floor choice would ruin those TV and movie scenarios where someone presses all the buttons. But for the sake of elevator button usability, we may have to sacrifice that rather trite situation.

So elevator makers, wherever you are, how about a way to cancel? Because sometimes, people make mistakes. It would be nice if they were able to recover.